Languages: English & German
Hello
My name is Vanessa. Born to English and German parents, I have been calling Portugal my home since 2016, together with my Maltese partner and our two young children. Being myself part of a cross-cultural relationship and living in a foreign country I feel I am more aware of and sensitive to the particular expectations of couples who choose Portugal as their wedding destination.
One of my greatest passions is to travel and I have been lucky to have the opportunity to live in many different countries in my pre-Portugal days. The thing I enjoyed most during all of those experiences was getting to know people from different walks of life, different backgrounds and values, the chance to connect with people at a deep and meaningful level. This interest in understanding and truly connecting is one of the things that fascinated me about the study of Psychology.
It is also the main motivation in wanting to become a celebrant. I consider it a privilege to be able to meet couples and understand what it is that makes their relationship so special and unique, to understand two people with their own personalities and histories both as individuals and as part of a relationship. To then become a part of their journey on one of the most significant days of their life as a couple is a truly fulfilling experience.
What is your favorite part about being a wedding celebrant?
My favourite part is hearing couples talk about their love story and understanding who they are and what is most important to them and then using that understanding to write a personalised ceremony that reflects that.
What’s the most challenging part of creating a ceremony?
I think the most challenging part of a ceremony is getting the tone right. Your wedding day is a day you will remember for the rest of your life and a lot of couples want to mark the importance of this occasion in a formal way. At the same time it is a joyous and emotional celebration when family and friends get together to celebrate two people that they care about. A good ceremony should combine both of these aspects.
What is the best compliment a couple or wedding guest has ever given you?
The best compliment I have received was when a couple’s response after reading their wedding ceremony for the first time was “this is so us, you really captured who we are”
Parting words
I hope that the couples I marry will look back on their wedding day fondly and see it as the start of a new and exciting chapter of their journey as a couple.
I look forward to working with you to create your ideal ceremony!
Vanessa